For using an average of 20 percent less energy than similar plants, three potato processing plants are the first to earn EPA's Energy Star rating for food processing, according to a press release.
The three facilities - all potato processing plants -- are:
- J.R. Simplot’s Aberdeen, Idaho, plant
- J.R. Simplot’s Othelllo, Wash., plant
- ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston’s Quincy, Wash., plant.
The three plants save a combined $10 million a year in energy costs and prevent about 40,000 metric tons in emissions.
The EPA has set up energy performance indicators for three kinds of food processing plants: juice processing, frozen fried potatoes and general food processing.
The EPA also is developing a standard for tomato processing plants, and is encouraging companies to help test and review the model. Click here for more details.
In October, EPA first issued EPIs for flat and container glass manufacturers, as well as juice and frozen fried potato processing plants.
EPA estimates that up to $900 million in energy costs could be saved annually if all such manufacturing facilities were to achieve Energy Star status.
For instance, the U.S. food processing sector spends almost $7 billion a year on energy, while the glass industry spends more than $2 billion a year on energy.
